Japan to Mull Whether to Call China “Threat” in Key Papers

Tokyo, May 10 (Jiji Press)–Japan will consider whether to call China a “threat” in the upcoming revision of its three major security-related documents by year-end. Tensions between the two Asian countries have increased markedly since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s parliamentary remarks on a possible Taiwan contingency in November last year. The situation would deteriorate further if Japan uses stronger language than in the current version of the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program, released in December 2022. Some in the ruling camp take a hard line, while others prefer a more restrained approach in consideration of the bilateral relations. In a proposal submitted before the 2022 revision, the Liberal Democratic Party said China’s military actions should be termed a “serious security threat.” However, its then coalition partner, Komeito, expressed disapproval, arguing that such language would escalate tensions. Instead, terms like “a matter of serious concern” and “an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge” were adopted in the National Security Strategy section on China. At that time, tensions were running high as China opposed a visit to Taiwan by then U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China launched nine ballistic missiles into the waters surrounding Taiwan, five of which fell within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Referring to the incident, the National Defense Strategy uses the word “threat” in an indirect way, saying that the incident “was perceived as a threat to local residents.” In contrast, both strategies explicitly call North Korea a “grave and imminent threat” to Japan’s national security. Since 2022, China has boosted its military capabilities and maritime presence. Last year, it deployed two aircraft carriers simultaneously near the so-called second island chain in the Pacific, which connects Japan’s Ogasawara Islands and the U.S. territory of Guam, for the first time. Joint flights of Chinese and Russian bombers and fighters have also increased. The LDP’s Research Commission on Security has decided to discuss the issues of how to treat the declining military superiority of the United States and the strategic partnership between China and Russia in the upcoming revision. “The same expression would not be sufficient because the situation is worse than before,” an LDP member said. Meanwhile, a former foreign minister warned: “If we go ahead and write ‘threat,’ China would only react angrily. We need to be creative.” The government’s official line is that it promotes a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” and a “constructive and stable relationship” with China. Takaichi has said Tokyo is “open to dialogue” with Beijing. At the same time, Takaichi is advancing conservative policies based on her LDP’s coalition agreement with the Japan Innovation Party. Her government last month revised its three principles on transfer of defense equipment and the related implementation guidelines, allowing the country to export lethal weapons. China has expressed grave concern, intensifying the bilateral tensions. In preparation for the revision of the three security-related documents, the LDP and the JIP are working to identify points of contention. They plan to submit their proposal on the matter to the government by early June. “There’ll be no benefit at all if we write ‘threat,'” a government official said. “The focus is how to come to terms with the JIP if it insists on a hard-line stance.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]